Joint Anti-Terrorist Task Force of Uganda
Encyclopedia
The Joint Anti-Terrorist Task Force (JATF) is a security agency
of the Government of Uganda. The Museveni administration
created the JATF through the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2002.
The Task Force's main focus is fighting the Lord's Resistance Army
, a militant cult operating in northern Uganda which the United States government designated a terrorist organization in 2001. Along with the Internal Security Organization (ISO) and the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI), from which the JATF draws many of it’s members, the JATF has drawn international criticism with claims of torture and illegal detention of suspects – charges which the government has denied.
Security agency
A security agency is a governmental organization which conducts intelligence activities for the internal security of a nation. They are the domestic cousins of foreign intelligence agencies...
of the Government of Uganda. The Museveni administration
Yoweri Museveni
Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is a Ugandan politician and statesman. He has been President of Uganda since 26 January 1986.Museveni was involved in the war that deposed Idi Amin Dada, ending his rule in 1979, and in the rebellion that subsequently led to the demise of the Milton Obote regime in 1985...
created the JATF through the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2002.
The Task Force's main focus is fighting the Lord's Resistance Army
Lord's Resistance Army
The Lord's Resistance Army insurgency is an ongoing guerrilla campaign waged since 1987 by the Lord's Resistance Army rebel group, operating mainly in northern Uganda, but also in South Sudan and eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo...
, a militant cult operating in northern Uganda which the United States government designated a terrorist organization in 2001. Along with the Internal Security Organization (ISO) and the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI), from which the JATF draws many of it’s members, the JATF has drawn international criticism with claims of torture and illegal detention of suspects – charges which the government has denied.